Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Chapter 368: Condition

Vaelira Von Sanguine was considered one of the most dangerous pulses in the Sanguine clan because of her uniqueness.

While the other pulses were cold and powerful in their own ways, Vaelira’s power came from her cleverness. She had an addiction to causing chaos and a talent for seeing it through.

This was how she came to lead the empire that was the Umbrella Group. And right now, Malakai was just seeing a glimpse of what made her feared by many.

But he hadn’t gotten to this level with an empty head.

“Are you trying to hinder my investigation?”

Vaelira knitted her brows.

“What are you talking about?”

“If people are going missing under your banner, that means someone is targeting the Umbrella Group. I find it very suspicious that you’re denying someone who’s trying to find out why.”

Vaelira burst into laughter.

“I knew it! I knew it! I knew you’d be fun, ha.” She sucked in a deep breath and suddenly waved her hand.

The door opened and a woman with round glasses and an aloof expression walked in along with a familiar face.

“Alright. I guess you won this round,” Vaelira said. “Come here, baby, Mummy missed you.”

“…Mom…”

The moment she entered, Octavia’s eyes went straight to Malakai. But she’d been caught off guard by her mother’s affection.

It’s not that she wasn’t used to it, but she was just embarrassed! Why do it in front of her cousin? Especially him!

“Oh, what’s wrong, baby? Are you okay?” Vaelira’s expression shifted to worry. Octavia forced a smile on her face and hugged her mother.

“I-I’m fine, Mom. Just surprised you called for me.”

As they separated, Vaelira scanned her from head to toe. “Are you sure? You seem… off.”

“I’m okay, Mom, I promise.”

“Oh, alright.” Vaelira brushed her hair. “You look really beautiful today, baby.”

“Ahem,” Octavia sent a nervous glance towards Malakai, who was watching them silently, then faced her mother.

“Thank you, Mom. So, why did you send for me?”

“Oh!” Vaelira clapped, turning towards Malakai. “Pardon me, beloved nephew, the joy of seeing my baby after so long made me forget.”

’You saw me this morning!’ Octavia wanted to scream, but held herself back, settling for an eye roll instead.

“Anyways, you’ve come here to ask for my permission to investigate, right? Smart kid.”

Vaelira placed her hand on Octavia’s shoulder.

“Well, that comes with a condition.”

Octavia narrowed her eyes; even Malakai did. Somehow, they both felt what was coming wasn’t good.

“You can go ahead with the investigation, only if you allow my baby here to accompany you.”

Both veins’ eyes widened.

“What!? Mom!” Octavia bellowed. “What are you talking about?”

Though he still maintained his composure, even Malakai was shocked.

’What is she planning?’

Vaelira was always up to no good, it was a truth everyone in the clan had learned the hard way. Because of this, Malakai couldn’t help but hesitate.

But for Octavia, her grievances were different.

’Work with him? Never!’

She could still remember his icy stare, that chilling look that seemed to pierce straight through her. Though she loved chaos and mischief, her cousin was simply too scary.

“What, baby? You don’t want to?” Vaelira blinked, tilting her head.

“No, Mom! I don’t…” Octavia blurted, her tone rising slightly before she caught herself.

“I should be preparing for the next hunt. Plus…” She stole a nervous glance at Malakai and leaned closer to her mother, whispering, “I don’t like the way he looks at me.”

Vaelira’s smile turned loving. She brushed a strand of Octavia’s hair behind her ear and said gently,

“Do this for your mother, okay? I promise you’ll gain far more from this than sitting around. And about the last part… it’s just the way his eyes are, baby. Don’t worry, he can’t do anything to you.”

“But Mom—”

Before she could protest further, Vaelira turned toward Malakai,

“Octavia is the smartest and most beautiful person in the entire Umbrella Group,” she said with pride.

“She knows things others don’t, and her help would be invaluable to your investigation. What do you say, beloved nephew?”

For some seconds, Malakai was at a loss for words. Vaelira was clearly planning something here, and that made him wary.

’But she’s right.’

He needed her permission to make sure his investigation went on smoothly. This was clearly a test from the sovereign, and he had no intention of failing.

Also, he’d gone through the information the Iron Saint had given to him and, if he had to be honest, being accompanied by someone with inside knowledge of the Umbrella Group wasn’t a bad idea.

’I’ll just need to be careful.’

“Alright. I accept.”

“Wonderful!” Vaelira clapped with delight, like a child whose demand had just been accepted.

“I look forward to what both of you will achieve,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.

“Well, bye-bye. The bastards responsible for this won’t catch himself now, will they? Get to work.”

Octavia threw her mom a pleading look as Malakai left the room, but Vaelira only smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

“Good luck, baby.”

’Fuck you.’

Seeing no other choice, the tenth vein flicked her mother off in her mind before leaving the room.

As the door closed, the smile on Vaelira’s face vanished.

“What are your thoughts on him?”

“He’s hiding a lot of secrets, Master,” Yalco responded with a grim tone. He couldn’t help but shudder as he remembered his brief battle with the boy.

“Now I understand the sovereign’s interest in him,” he added.

Vaelira didn’t speak for a moment. She had watched the battle between the two, and what she witnessed shocked her.

The boy wasn’t just at the synergy stage, he was stronger than veterans who had been there way longer than he had. They were both impossible things, yet she had witnessed them today.

“Have you been able to confirm our suspicions?” she suddenly asked.

“No, Master.” Yalco shook his head. “No one is willing to talk.”

“Hmm, Father plans on keeping it under wraps, but I still think he was somehow involved in the incident at Sylvastein. Keep trying.”

“Yes, Master.”

Vaelira stood and walked towards the glass. Far, far below, her eyes landed on Malakai, Renlo, and Octavia leaving the building.

She focused on Malakai, lips curving into a cold smile.

“I’ll find out your secrets, sooner or later.”

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